Bringing Smiles Dental Enrichment Program
The Bringing Smiles Dental Enrichment Program (BSDEP) supports and prepares students from under-resourced or disadvantaged backgrounds for successful application to and matriculation into dental school.
The future oral health workforce must be equipped with the knowledge and experience to improve access and outcomes for underserved populations. The gap in oral health disparities continues to grow, while diversity among dental health professionals remains relatively stagnant. In a 2016 survey from the American Dental Education Association, only 15.2% of dental school applicants were from underrepresented minority (URM) backgrounds.
The Department of Pediatric Dentistry at NYU Dentistry established the Bringing Smiles Dental Enrichment Program to increase pathways into dental health professions for aspiring students who come from underprivileged and under-resourced backgrounds and to foster a new generation of dental health professionals from a wide range of backgrounds.
Program Components
BSDEP accepts 5 interns per semester. Due to the restrictions of COVID-19, the BSDEP internship will be in hybrid mode: There will be both in-person and virtual experiences.
Interns will participate in several dental school lectures and seminars, gaining exposure to different dentistry topics.
- Community-Based Clinical Experience - interns participate in the “Bringing Smiles to NYC Schools” program, a school-based comprehensive dental program located within NYC public schools.
- Mentorship - each intern will be connected to both a faculty mentor and a dental student mentor whom they will meet with throughout the semester.
- Seminars and Application Preparation - interns will participate in a series of seminars and professional development experiences to prepare them for dental school.
- Research Opportunities - interns will be connected to potential research opportunity at the college.
Candidate Qualifications
- All interested individuals regardless of background are welcome to apply. Priority is given to applicants from disadvantaged backgrounds based on the NIH eligibility criteria.
- Strong interest in dentistry and working with underserved populations.
- Strong organizational and communication skills required.
- Must be located within the NYC area (able to easily commute into the city).
- Juniors, Seniors Pre-Dental/ Pre-Health candidates are welcomed and preferred.
Dr. Michelle Goldstein
Dr. Lorel Burns
Dr. Divya Khera
Dr. Cheryline Pezzullo
Dr. Leslie Smithey
Dr. Teemar Carey
Student Members range from D1 – D4s and commit to varying levels and hours of mentorship each week. If you are a dental student or resident interested in becoming a mentor, please contact the program coordinator Samantha at sshrager@nyu.edu.
Samantha Shrager
FAQs
You must be at least a sophomore in college (second year) to apply for this internship. Post- baccalaureate students and students taking a gap year before applying to dental school are also encouraged to apply.
No, you do not have to be an NYU student to apply however all interns must obtain a valid NYU ID prior to their first day.
Yes, due to the hybrid nature of the program, all interns must be located in the tri-state area and have the ability to commute into New York City one day per week.
No, there is no minimum required GPA to apply to this program. All applicants will
be evaluated holistically.
Yes, but you must apply separately for each individual semester.
It is required that BSDEP interns attend all listed sessions.
Program Partners
- NYU College of Arts and Science Advising Center
- NYU Dental Office of Academic Affairs, NYU Dental Office of Admissions, and the NYU Dental Department of Pediatric Dentistry.
- The program is supported by a HRSA training grant #D85HP28495
BSDEP Gallery
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